BNP MPs-elect Ukil Abdus Sattar and Harunur Rashid have ‘promised’ to senior leaders that they will not take oath to their offices, according to people familiar with the matter.
Their assurance came during a meeting on Sunday (Apr 28) with BNP policymaking forum members, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
A senior leader, who attended the meeting, confirmed on condition of anonymity, that the two MPs-elect told the leadership that they will not join the parliament.
Neither Sattar, elected from Brahmanbaria-2, nor Harun of Chapainababganj-3 agreed to comment on the issue when reached by Bangla Tribune.
“Pray for me,” is what Sattar said before adding he was in “deep trouble” while Harun said, “I don’t know anything, please ask the party.”
A member of BNP’s policymaking National Standing Committee, who asked not to be named, said the party will “reward” the MPs-elect who will not join the parliament.
On Saturday (Apr 27), BNP has expelled Jahidur Rahman for taking oath as an MP defying the party.
Jahidur’s preliminary membership in the party has been also cancelled.
He was the first of the six BNP MPs-elect, including Mirza Fakhrul, to take oath as the MP from Thakurgaon-3 seat.
It came days before the deadline for swearing-in amid widespread speculations that the BNP MPs-elect, except Fakhrul, are taking oath.
Before joining the Dec 30 polls, the BNP said it would make arrangements for her release by winning the election.
After the heavy defeat to the ruling Awami League, the BNP and its Jatiya Oikya Front alliance said their eight MPs-elect would not join parliament in protest against vote rigging.
The two MPs-elect of its partner the Gano Forum – Sultan Mohammed Mansur Ahmed and Mokobbir Khan – have already joined parliament.
Dr Kamal Hossain-led Gano Forum has expelled Ahmed, but Khan was seen sitting next to other leaders, including it chief, onstage the party’s Special National Council.